Matt Smith: How should Stephan Knoll handle the potential risk to the Thebarton Theatre in South Rd upgrade?

One minute there’s talk of clearing some land to make way for a South Rd upgrade – the next, there’s a campaign to save the Thebby. Can this looming dilemma be solved before it begins?

• Road to ruin: South Rd icons at risk

Well that escalated quickly.

One moment the Sunday Mail was just doing its due diligence and working out how many heritage properties could be in the way of the North - South Corridor overhaul in coming years.

Just 48 hours later the public broadcaster is asking Adelaidians for their favourite Thebarton Theatre moments and a petition lobbying the government had filled its target of 500 signatures within hours (it’s currently at 6734 and counting).

By mid afternoon West Thebarton - Adelaide’s best band - had taken to Facebook and were urging people to sign the same petition.

So has Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll royally stuffed this up?

Truth is, not really.

A government is hardly going to start earmarking anything for demolition before all the planning work is done.

But is he now stuck between a rock (and roll band) and a hard place ?

Absolutely.

The beloved Thebarton Theatre. Picture: Matt Loxton

Address the concerns and say the Thebby Theatre is off limits and he’ll be accused of putting the horse before the cart - before a business case has even been completed.

But don’t address the concerns and the belief that one of the state’s most iconic music venues could face a wrecking ball will just grow stronger.

Plan C could be the best path for Mr Knoll.

The North-South corridor needs tunnels to ensure heritage gems like the Thebarton Theatre and the Queen of Angels Church can be protected.

The trick will be convincing his Federal counterparts.

It won’t be easy.

But at this stage it seems like any easier option than taking on a bunch of rock and rollers - and the Church.